Community Support Specialist

Swope Health Services; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 36,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Swope Health Services in Kansas City, MO is seeking a Community Support Specialist to provide direct services to SPMI/SED clients, helping them remain active in the community. You will assess daily living adjustments, accompany clients to appointments, and assist with access to medical, housing and financial supports.

This role requires strong communication, patience, and the ability to coordinate with families and community resources.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a human services field or equivalent experience.
• Two years of higher education with two years of psychiatric/substance abuse experience, or a four-year degree with related experience.
• Experience working with SPMI/SED clients is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess and monitor an individual's adjustment to community living.
• Provide individual assistance in accessing mental health services and accompany clients to appointments.
• Assist families with access to public services including housing, food, and emergency assistance.
• Support clients in connecting with community resources for social, educational, vocational, and recreational activities.
• Maintain documentation for reimbursement and ensure compliance with payer requirements.
• Travel extensively throughout the Kansas City metro to visit clients and transport to appointments.

Skills

Patience

Rapport building

Flexible schedule

Transportation

Community resources knowledge

Clear writing

Crisis prevention

Driving

Education

Bachelor's degree in a human services field

Two years of higher education with relevant experience

Four years of equivalent psychiatric/substance abuse experience

1-3 years experience with SPMI/SED population

Job description

The Community Support Specialist provides a variety of direct services to SPMI/SED clients designed to maintain the client in the community.

Primary Functions

1. 1. Assessing and monitoring an individual's adjustment to community living.
2. 2. Monitoring the individual's participation and progress in organized treatment programs to assure the planned provision of service according to the individual's treatment plan.
3. 3. Participating in the development or revision of a Person Centered Individualized Treatment Plan.
4. 4. Providing individual assistance to persons in accessing needed mental health services including accompanying individuals to appointments to address medical or other health needs.
5. 5. Providing individual assistance to individuals/families in accessing a variety of public services including financial and medical assistance and housing, including assistance on an emergency basis and directly helping to meet needs for food, shelter and clothing.
6. 6. Assisting the person/family to access and utilize a variety of community agencies and resources to provide ongoing social, educational, vocational and recreational supports and activities.
7. 7. Interceding on behalf of individuals within the community-at-large to assist the person in achieving and maintaining their community adjustment.
8. 8. Maintaining contact with individuals who are hospitalized and participating in facilitating discharge planning.
9. 9. Training, coaching and supporting in daily living skills, including housekeeping or daily chores, cooking, personal grooming, accessing transportation, keeping a budget, paying bills, functioning at work and in the classroom and initiatingand maintaining an independent residence or maintaining residence in a family setting.
10. 10. Assisting in creating personal support systems that include work with family members, legal guardians or significant others regarding the needs and abilities of an identified person.
11. 11. Encouraging and promoting recovery efforts, consumer independence/self-care and responsibility.
12. 12. Providing support to families in areas such as treatment planning, dissemination of information, linking to services and parent guidance.
13. 13. Travels extensively throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area to visit clients and to transport clients to various appointments or community resources.
14. 14. Initiates other reports and records as required.
15. 15. Completes all documentation required for successful reimbursement of services and maintains clinical documentation that meets Health Center and payer requirements.
16. 16. Successfully meets productivity requirements established for the position.
17. 17. Performs other duties as assigned.

Education Requirements

1. 1. Bachelor's Degree in a human services field (psychology, education, nursing, criminal justice, recreational therapy, social work, psychology, human development and family studies, counseling, chil development, gerontology, rehabilitation counseling)
2. 2. OR at least two years of higher education with two years of experience in psychiatric, substance abuse treatment, or developmental disabilities, or any four year degree with two years of experience in psychiatric, substance abuse treatment, or developmental disabilities;
3. 3. OR four years of equivalent experience with consumers and their families receiving psychiatric, substance abuse, developmental disabilities services to move towards their personal, social and vocational competency in order to live successfully in the community;
4. 4. One to three years experience in working with SMPI/SED clients with severe, persistent illness or in a mental health or social service agency preferred.

Experience & Qualifications

1. 1. Patience and ability to establish rapport with this population.
2. 2. Flexible schedule and transportation.
3. 3. Knowledgeable about diverse clientele.
4. 4. Ability to assess clients' daily level of functioning preferred.
5. 5. Ability to write clearly and distinctly.
6. 6. Knowledgeable about community resources.
7. 7. Knowledgeable about establishing rapport with clientele.
8. 8. Knowledgeable about crisis prevention.
9. 9. Must have current, valid driver's license, transportation and appropriate automobile insurance and be able to drive extensively and provide transportation to clients.

Certification & Licensure Requirements

About Swope Health Services:

Swope Health, the Kansas City region’s largest Federally Qualified Health Center, has provided comprehensive primary care, dental care and mental health services in the Greater Kansas City area for more than 56 years. Recognized as a patient-centered medical home by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, our commitment to an integrated model of healthcare aligns with our mission to improve community health and wellness through accessible, quality, comprehensive patient care.

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities and The Joint Commission, we served nearly 56,000 patients in 2025 at 24 locations throughout the area, including Kansas City, Belton, Independence, North Kansas City, Hickman Mills, and Wyandotte and Leavenworth Counties in Kansas. Swope Health is a special place that cares for the people who need it most, wherever they are in the community.

You will do this by V.I.S.I.B.L.E

1. 1. Valuing every person
2. 2. Impacting communities
3. 3. Serving with professionalism
4. 5. Believing that healthcare is a basic human right
5. 6. Leading with accountability and praise

Associate Statement of Understanding

I have read and understand the job description for my position. I am able to perform all of the essential functions of this

position.

I agree to comply with the corporate compliance policy and all laws, rules, regulations and standards of conduct relating to my position. As an associate, I understand my duty to report any suspected violations of the law or the standards of conduct to my immediate supervisor.

As an associate, I will strive to uphold the mission and vision of the organization. All associates are required to adhere to the core values in all their interactions with customers and fellow associates.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.